Meraki… I like the sound of this word. Even without knowing its meaning, it seems profound. I imagine it to be much like the Earth: delicately constructed of several layers, hiding something intensely beautiful inside.
It sounds playful and cheerful to me, but not ‘light’. I like to repeat it: Meraki, Meraki… It’s spirited and joyful but substantial, nevertheless. Let us explore its meaning.
What does MERAKI mean?
Unfortunately, it is not possible to precisely translate this Greek word, as it can have different nuanced meanings. ‘Meraki’ is to do something with passion and creativity, out of unconditional love, an act that stems from the soul. It is leaving a little piece of your pure essence in your work, whatever this may be.
Greek is one of Europe’s oldest and richest languages, being around 4000 years old and consisting of five million words, so it is not surprising that some of its phrases are untranslatable.
A diva with meraki
While I was wandering around Athens, on Mitropoleos Street, I found a new (at least for me) café – La Divina – dedicated to Maria Callas. When looking at the albums and books depicting the famous opera singer, the word ‘meraki’ came to mind. Maria Callas sang with absolute devotion, putting her heart and soul into her music – she was certainly an artist blessed with ‘meraki’.
Meraki in everyday life
However, one does not need to be a famous artist to live with ‘meraki’. A simple chore, like ironing, can be done with enthusiasm and eagerness.
My mother always said when I was complaining about doing household chores that if I think of the loved ones that I am ironing or cooking for and imagine them enjoying the results of my work, whatever I do will be filled with love, and I will start to enjoy doing it. As every teenager would do, I strongly opposed. However, as I grew older, I began to understand her advice. It worked. If the task was done with all my heart, it became easier and quite enjoyable – ‘meraki’ in everyday use.
Is it just a coffee?
Another mundane manifestation of ‘meraki’ is making a cup of coffee (or a frappe, the popular Greek iced drink) for oneself or for a loved one. The real Greek coffee is made with so much care and devotion that the process seems more like a ritual. I read about it in Greek novels and saw it firsthand in remote Greek villages’ ‘kafeneio’ (a simple café in Greece, mainly for male customers).
First and foremost, we will need a ‘briki’ – the traditional and rustic coffee pot – and then the right proportions of cold water, sugar and good-quality coffee. With lots of love and patience, a bit of vigorous stirring, and then proper attention and focus, one’s dedication will pay off. The result will be a creamy, foamy, aromatic drink, full of flavour. A real ‘meraki’ experience.
The detailed recipe for “ellinikos kafes” can be found on the brilliant mygreekdish website. Here: https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/greek-coffee-recipe-how-to-make-greek-coffee-ellinikos-kafes/
My personal ‘meraki’ experience
When I was last drinking my Greek coffee, I was reminiscing about my yearly language course with the Omilo language and culture school. There, we always have a little dance class of traditional Greek dances. Quite often it turns into such a joyful celebration that it stays with me for months: it cheers me up on a rainy day, inspires me creatively or just brings an enormous smile to my face whenever the memory pops up.
Why can a little enthusiastic, though completely amateur, dance session have such an effect on me? I believe that the answer lies in our teachers’ ‘meraki’. Every time we dance together, they do so with no inhibition. They don’t just teach the steps; they are sharing their own experience wholeheartedly. This is why we can dance so freely and zealously together.
A concept worth living by
‘Meraki’ is without a doubt a concept worth living by. Just listening to someone with full, undivided attention can make the other person feel truly accepted, appreciated and loved. The idea of adding the essence of myself and a little love into everything I do seems to me like a great foundation for a happy life. I suppose we all practise ‘meraki’ on a daily basis: spending time with our children, travelling, cooking, gardening, and doing whatever we really like to do with passion and love.
Mindfulness and ‘meraki’
As a former yoga teacher, ‘meraki’ reminds me of the concept of mindfulness. When I do something with enthusiasm, I tend to fully focus on the activity and put all my energy into it – in other words, I do it mindfully. Therefore, I think mindfulness can be closely linked to ‘meraki’. Moreover, the psychological term “flow state”, which describes a mental state where a person is completely focused on a single activity or task, also strongly resonates with this concept.
Acting from the heart
The more I write about it, the more I think that ‘meraki’ is a powerful and deep notion. Taking a ‘meraki’ approach to everything we do can significantly transform our lives. When done with undivided love and attention, our work could become more meaningful. Learning with ‘meraki’’ can provide us purpose and help us truly embody new skills and theories.
If our interactions come from the heart, fuelled with love, surely, our relationships can also improve. It is not about being perfect but about trying to become our best selves. You’re the main character in a movie who must overcome a profound struggle by acting from the heart.
A true ‘Meraklis’, Zorba, the Greek
The Kazantzakis novel ‘Zorba, the Greek’ comes to mind, immortalised on film through Anthony Quinn’s brilliant performance. Zorba is a true “Meraklis”, a person who is naturally drawn to beauty and can thoroughly enjoy life; someone who is passionate, curious and enthusiastic about everything he does.
It is a sad story, full of struggle and setbacks, but it is also a “feel good movie”. Somehow, Zorba’s sense of ‘meraki’ is so strong that it feels like a power with which he can overcome anything. A power we can all have by living in the moment, doing everything with passion or just building appreciation for having a good time. It is certainly worth a try.
“Put your heart, mind, and soul into even your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.”
What a complex piece of writing! It was a pleasure to read! 🌞